ARAB, Alabama (AlabamaVOICE.org) - There are 11 Statewide amendments on the upcoming Nov. 6 ballot, and now a local citizen has published a free voter's guide to help area residents easily understand what the proposed amendments are all about. A People's Guide to the 2012 Alabama Constitutional Amendments is now available on AlabamaVOICE.org and provided as a free resource for voters who simply don't have time to fully research each amendment but want to make an informed decision.

Early review for A People's Guide... "Here's a very good write-up Brad Patterson did on the Alabama Constitutional Amendments...No hot air, just facts." -B. McDearmond, Cullman Co.

The project began as a volunteer assignment for Brad's hometown newspaper, The Arab Tribune. He saw how much misinformation was involved in the Sept. 18 amendment vote, and wanted to provide an impartial review of the Nov. 6 ballot proposals as a service to his neighbors. This brief "facts only" guide ran in the Oct. 17 edition of the local newspaper to positive reviews. He then decided to release an expanded 8 page version in an easily shared format, complete with reference links, information resources, and commentary on all 11 amendments. Both guides are available at AlabamaVOICE.org

"I saw how much misinformation was involved in the Sept. 18 amendment vote, and knew there was a need for an impartial perspective. Amendments can often be hard to understand."

A People's Guide to the 2012 Alabama Constitutional Amendments includes click-able links to resources such sample ballots for most counties, the original text of each amendment, and a crash course in general obligation bonds which are the subject of Amendment 2. It includes links to the Alabama State Constitution and the Official Proceedings of the 1901 Constitutional Convention for those that are serious about researching the issues. For everyone else, the guide was designed to be a 'one-stop shop" for information about the upcoming amendments.

"I am not suggesting how folks vote on any of them, and I hope it is helpful as my neighbors try to make informed decisions about the future of our State on election day."

Brad Patterson lives in Arab, Alabama. He joined the People's Advocate in early 2007 during the 62-percent legislative pay raise debate. As the delegate for House District 27 at the 2009 ACCR Mock Constitutional Convention, he also served as the recording secretary for the Legislature and Representation articles workgroup. He has studied the Alabama Constitution for more than 10 years.